CHAPTER 1.2: You Hate Me, I Love You (Part 2)

THE HUH SYNDROME

CASS

I'm on my way to the long corridor of Mendel University to attend my second week class. Trixy has always with me every time I go to school but since I got pissed of her yesterday,

inunahan ko s’yang pumunta sa school. Panay kasi ang kumbinsi n’ya sa akin na tigilan ko na raw si Zeke at rinding-rindi na talaga ako. Hindi pa ba obvious na ayaw ko?

"You left the house too early."

Bigla akong dinapuan ng kaba nang marinig ko ang isang nakakapangilabot na boses.

The main reason why I do not want to be with Chadler Trevoir is because of his voice. His deep and horrifying voice gives chills in my spine. If I were to ask, pakiramdam ko ay pwede s’yang mag-narrate ng real life horror stories sa YouTube.

"H-huh?" I slowly turn around to face him since I have no choice and I do not want to act rude.

Hs serious face looking at me intently like I did something wrong. Ito ata ang dumadaloy sa dugo ng mga Trevoir. Ang pagkakaroon ng malamig at malalim na boses.

"You could've waited for me and mom to come back." I thought at first that he was talking about me coming to school early but when he said that I could have waited for him and his mom, I understand that he was talking about my weekend visit.

"S-sorry. I got bored." Half-truth. The other reason was ayoko nang abutan pa niya akong nandoon.

"I see. Then, will you join me this lunch?" Mukhang gusto nitong bumawi sa akin sa nangyari kahapon but I never thought he will. He never asks me to eat with him before actually.

"Uhm, I'm going to h-have lunch with Trixy."

"Then I'll ask her to bring you with me." He plainly said which made feel like I was caught off guard. Oh, hell no! Trixy will hit me in the head if she learned that I used her as a reason to ditch him.

"N-no. Don't bother. I'll come." Looks like he knows how to fit in a needle’s hole.

***

I am now facing Chad while sitting in front of him at a table for two here in our campus cafeteria. According to plan, we really did have our lunch together but I never thought he will pay for all of the food.

"Cass." I was trying to stay silent since I dot really want to start a conversation with him but then, he called. Maybe he also feels awkward so he thought of something to say.

"Yes?" I asked him wearing the usual fake smile I give to people when they are talking to me.

"What do you think of me?"

"H-huh?"

Why is he being serious all of a sudden? We never had a serious conversation before. Well, we never had one since I always refuse to talk to him or do anything that will keep me away from him. This is the first time I saw him being serious to me and it makes me feel guilty. I have been so distant to him ever since we were kids because of silly reasons.

*flashback*

"No Mommybear! No!"

"But why sweety? Chadler is just trying to be friends with you!"

I am inside my room and tucked in bed while crying because tita Devin brought Chad with her when she visited the house.

"But I'm scared of him! He's like a monster!" I cried again because I remember the monsters and killers I see on those creepy movies and shows. For an unknown reason, Chad reminds me of them.

"He's not a monster Cass. He's a sweet kid." My mom pleaded as she try to make me come out of the room. He doesn't sound sweet for me. He sounds more like a killer.

"Let him leave mommy please? I'm so scared!" I cried even louder so she had no choice but to let me stay in the room.

*end of flashback*

"Do you still see me as a monster in your nightmares?” Halos mabilaukan ako sa ndiretsong tanong niya. I never expected him being frank and straightforward.

"We were kids back then Chad. The more I grow old, the more I realize you're nice." It is true though but his chilling voice still gives me goosebumps. I just hope he can adjust his voice.

"Then will you stop running away from me?" Napakagat-labi ako when he directly pointed out what I always do to him. I just realized how rude I was back then.

"I-I'm sorry Chad. Don't worry, I won't. I'm just a little bit nuts these days." I said but this time, I feel really guilty with my actions towards him.

Thankfully, his serious face changed into a light expression now. Maybe not too bright but just normal which indicates that we are fine now.

"So, when will you come back at the house then?" His voice is still cold but not the one that is scaring me. Looks like he really is feeling good towards me now.

I was planning to say na babalik ako doon kapag hindi na umalis si Zeke but since he is in good mood now, I do not want to ruin it anymore. He was the one who invited me but here I am thinking about another man.

"When I'm free, I guess?" I just answered in a way that is safer and not promising so he does not expect too much and thankfully, he just slowly nodded as a response.

"Anyway, I brought two cinema tickets yesterday. Wanna come?" Suddenly, all of the scary feeling I felt a while ago returned and made my eyes widen a bit.

"H-huh?" I just noticed that I've been repeating this huh term ever since we started our conversation at the corridor. Nabibingi ata ako sa takot.

"Do you wanna watch a movie with me later?" There he goes again with his straidforward personality. No offense but, I already feel like I'm stuck in a horror movie with him.

"I-I'm not sure if I'm free later. But I'll try." Actually, I am free later. But I do not know if I could watch with him.

Kung horror movie ang papanoorin namin, baka mas matakot pa ako kapag lumingon ako sa kanya. Well the truth is, Chadler is really handsome. He is actually the campus king of Mendel High. Ayoko lang talaga sa aura nya eh. Masyadong nakakakilabot.

"Okay. I guess I will be watching the movie twice."

***

Panay ang silip ko kay Zeke habang nagbabasa ng libro at nakaupo sa bench ng school park. Para akong timang na nagtatago sa likod ng puno ng manga habang iginuguhit siya sa dala kong sketch pad.

"Ang gwapo mo talaga Zeke ko."

Minsan ay gusto ko nang dalhin ang sarili ko sa mental dahil hindi ko talaga kayang hindi kausapin ang pictures ni Zeke. Even in his pictures, he is too handsome to ignore.

"Tumingin ka naman dito Zeke angel."Halos malaglag ang puso ko nang lumingon nga si Zeke at nakita nya akong nakatago sa puno ng mangga. Out of shock ay halos hindi na ako makagalaw at hinayaan ko na lang s’yang maglakad palapit sa akin.

"What are you doing there? Why didn't you just sit beside me?" Halos malaglag ang panga ko sa sinabi niya. Am I dreaming?

"Look Cassidy, if you like me, then get me. If you want to kiss me, then kiss me." I want to cry in too much happiness. This is the biggest dream I always wish to come true. I cannot believe that it is already happening. "Do you wanna kiss me Cass?"

Halos mabaliw na ako sa sumunod na tanong niya. My heart is beating really fast and my whole system is turned on. I do not want to miss this chance anymore. Ito ang pagkakataong dapat ay hindi palampasin. "Yes! Please!"

He slowly closes the eyelids of his eyes then he started bending closer to me so I shut my eyes too and pucker my lips to kiss him. I also started bending forward closely to him to finally make my fantasies happen.

"What on earth are you doing? Kissing a tree?" Agad akong napa-atras at napamuklat then I saw Zeke looking at me weirdly. Wait what?

"H-huh?" I glance back at the tree again then I just realize, nananaginip ako nang gising! Hahalikan ko na pala yung puno ng mangga! Hala!

"You know what Cassidy, you need to stop daydreaming about me. I'm getting scared that you might be raping me in your imaginations." I gave him my idiotic smile and I giggled out of embarassment. Nakakahiya naman kay Zeke!

"I-I'm sorry. I was just looking at you." I explained while scratching my nape feeling so embarrassed. He rolled his eyes at me then he frowned before speaking senselessly.

"What do you want?" He asked while raising both of his eyebrows. I showed him the pad I have been holding a while for him to see my sketch.

"I was sketching you. Is it okay?" The sketch I made was him sitting on a bench while holding and reading his book. He scans the art I made with his expression screaming great boredom.

"You need to work on it. It doesn't look like me." Napakagat-labi ako sa hiya. I just thought that I was improving yet hindi pa pala.

"Sorry. I'm still practicing." I felt embarrassed that another attempt for him to be impressed is failed.

I did even the smallest effort I can invest for him to be impressed but it always ends up with him walking away just like what is happening right now. He went back to the bench where he was sitting and then he took the book from the wooden long chair like nothing happened. Feeling bad, I followed him and sat also on the bench.

"Stop following me." He said with his cold tone eksakto nang makaupo na ako, but his eyes are still focused on the book.

"It’s your fault that I'm following you, you know. You always push me and I don’t know why. Do you hate me that much?" The question caught his attention that he diverted his attention to me.

"I just hate the way you look at me and your obsession. It’s pissing me off." He frankly said but instead of feeling bad, I give him my wide smile as usual.

"And the more you're pissed, the more I love you." I said with full of admiration in my eyes while looking at him but he did not respond. He just lowered his head and look back to his book before speaking.

"And the more you love me, the more I'm hating you."

***

I am currently reading this stupid book that Trixy give me. It is entitled The Battered Lover which she said, reminds me of her. Martyr daw kasi ako pagdating kay Zeke kaya’t napaisip naman ako. Hindi naman ako sinasaktan ng anghel ko ah? Why did this story come up with too much hurting? Oo pinagtatabuyan ako ni Zeke pero hindi nya naman ako sinasampal or something. Super naman ata tong istoryang to!

"What are you reading?" The deep and scary voice immediately give me goosebumps and I felt a great shiver down to my spine.

"H-huh?" There it is again. I think mabibingi na talaga ako and Chadler Trevoir should be the one to blame.

"Are you a deaf now?" He seriously asked that ironically, made me chuckle. He is not even joking but the way he asked me makes me think that this stupid demeanor of mine is really a sign that I am on the verge of becoming a deaf.

"Haha! I'm sorry. I'm being used to it." I do not even know where the hell does this huh came from.

"Anyway, mom said that there will be a family dinner tonight. Do you know anything about the dinner? I was not informed." He curiously asked that made wonder. Wala namang naikwento si Mommybear about sa family dinner eh.

"Not at all. But maybe she'll tell me later." I just shrugged my shoulders while answering his question and then Chad give his slow nod as a response.

"See you in the house then." I give my half smile before entering our classroom and found Trixy sitting beside my chair while talking to one of our classmates.

"Hey Cass!"

The girl who was talking to Trixy greeted me so I smiled back then I turned to Trixy who looks very angry.

"Cass! Have you seen this?!" She angrily said with her tone hardening at every word.

Napakunot ang noo ko bigla nang iabot sa akin ni Trixy ang cellphone nya. When I saw the whole picture, I got shocked. Who the hell is this woman hugging Zeke from his back?!

"That’s the new girl in the school! Yan yung feelingerang maganda sa ABM! Nakakapang-init ng ulo! You know what Cass before that, this flirt even tried to lure Chadler! Ang kapal ng mukha!" Biglang umakyat ang dugo ko sa ulo at namuo ang grabeng galit sa bawat kalamnan.

I do not care if she's flirting Chad but Zeke is an exception!

"Where is this flirt who wants to die?" Nangati bigla ang kamao ko sa galit. No one touches my angel!

"Nasa classroom nya ata. Hintayin natin mamayang break Cass!" I am going to teach her a very great lesson in life. She will feel my wrath and believe me, no one would ever want me mad.

***

"My papa had a vacation in Spain and believe me, it’s worth it." Nakatayo ako ngayon sa likod ng babaeng nilandi si Zeke.

 Nagyayabang siya sa mga kaklase niya tungkol sa kung saang impyerno nagpunta ang ama niya and I do not give a damn. Kahit pa makalabas siya sa planeta ay wala akong pakialam basta't ‘wag ko lang siyang makita.

"If you all want to have a vacation specially when its summer, Hawaii is a great place." Napatingin silang lahat sa akin since I interrupted their boring convo. The 

girls that the witch was talking to, smiled at me. Well, kilala ako sa Mendel because of my family. I am a rich brat and that is why I am feared in this school.

"Nah! Hawaii is too boring!" The witch with a thick face and a foul mouth just dared to disagree with me! I think we have a winner!

"That's because you don't belong there. Rats are not allowed at beaches." I reasoned out as an introduction of my wicked plans. Biglang tumaas ang kilay niya na parang naghahamon at ipinag-krus ang mga braso.

"Excuse me?"

"Why? Dadaan ka? You don't look like a descendant of queen Elizabeth for me to obey."

Biglang sumama ang tingin niya sa akin dahil mukhang alam niyang may balak na akong pumatol sa hamon niya.

"What’s your problem miss? Do I even know you?" Mataray at may confidence niyang sabi kaya't tiningnan ko siya mula sa ulo na mukha namang paa, hanggang sa paa mismo.

"No. Of course, you don't. Baguhan ka lang dito hindi ba? But don't worry, I'll let you know me."

Tiningnan ko si Trixy with you-know-the-drill-look kaya't walang sabi-sabi ay hinawakan niya ang dalawang braso ng babae at inilagay ito sa likod. Napaatras naman ang mga babaeng kausap niya kanina habang nakatingin ang mga estudyante sa amin.

"Hey! Let me go!"

"My name is Cassidy Amelia Castillo. Daughter of Margaret and Danilo Castillo. My family owns different properties and you touched one that I considered most expensive."

I did not bother if everyone was watching while trying to whisper with each other. Kahit pa anong sabihin nila, everyone knows that I am unstoppable. Hinawakan ko ang panga niya nang mahigpit na halos matanggal na ang labi nya.

"The next time I heard that you touched Zeke Monteclaro Trevoir, I'll burn you. Do you understand?"

Pabulong kong banta bago marahas na binitawan ang panga niya na agad niyang ikinaiyak. This is the only rule I have given to everyone. Zeke is mine.

***